Nose Art Collection

USA, B-17 Bomber Aircraft, Cockpit, Salinas, California

Pacific Theater,B-29's lined up at Clark Field, March 1946
3036348 Pacific Theater,B-29's lined up at Clark Field, March 1946; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, B-25 nose art [Ruff-n-Reddy] March 1946, Clark Field
3036219 Pacific Theater, B-25 nose art [Ruff-n-Reddy] March 1946, Clark Field ; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, P-38 nose art [Miss Peggy] March 1946
3036218 Pacific Theater, P-38 nose art [Miss Peggy] March 1946,; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater,Nose art [Nosie Rosie] April 1946, Clark Field
3036156 Pacific Theater,Nose art [Nosie Rosie] April 1946, Clark Field.; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, B-29's at Clark Field, March 1946
3036155 Pacific Theater, B-29's at Clark Field, March 1946; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, B-25 nose art [Stateside Dream] March 1946 (b/w photo)
3036154 Pacific Theater, B-25 nose art [Stateside Dream] March 1946 (b/w photo) ; Private Collection; (add.info.: B-25 nose art [Stateside Dream] March 1946)

Pacific Theater B-25 nose art, in Clark Pool, March 1946 Luzon-Manila
3036798 Pacific Theater B-25 nose art, in Clark Pool, March 1946 Luzon-Manila ; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater,B-25 Mitchell Bomber, Jan. 1946 Manila - Clark Field
3036507 Pacific Theater,B-25 Mitchell Bomber, Jan. 1946 Manila - Clark Field; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, Nose art [Chute the Works] April 18, 1946
3036493 Pacific Theater, Nose art [Chute the Works] April 18, 1946; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater B-25 [Wolf Bait] nose art, March 1946, Clark Field
3036380 Pacific Theater B-25 [Wolf Bait] nose art, March 1946, Clark Field ; Private Collection; (add.info.: B-25 [Wolf Bait] nose art, March 1946, Clark Field)

Pacific Theater, Nose art [Golden Gate or Bust] March 1946, Clark Field
3036329 Pacific Theater, Nose art [Golden Gate or Bust] March 1946, Clark Field; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater,Capt.W.R.Brodine's plane [Queen O'Hearts] April 1946, Clark Field
3036799 Pacific Theater,Capt.W.R.Brodine's plane [Queen O'Hearts] April 1946, Clark Field; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base)

Pacific Theater, Gen.Wordsmith's B-17 [Ready Teddy] March 1946, Clark Field
3036484 Pacific Theater, Gen.Wordsmith's B-17 [Ready Teddy] March 1946, Clark Field ; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines, 1945-1946)

Pacific Theater, Nose art [Rice Pattie Hattie] April 18, 1946
3036168 Pacific Theater, Nose art [Rice Pattie Hattie] April 18, 1946; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, Nose art April 1946, Clark Field
3036501 Pacific Theater, Nose art April 1946, Clark Field; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, Nose art [Glamoura's] April 1946, Clark Field
3036491 Pacific Theater, Nose art [Glamoura's] April 1946, Clark Field; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater ,Nose art [Cutie Connie], P-38 Lightning, 1946, Clark Field
3036430 Pacific Theater ,Nose art [Cutie Connie], P-38 Lightning, 1946, Clark Field ; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island)

Pacific Theater,Nose art [Who Dunit the 2nd] April 1946
3036419 Pacific Theater,Nose art [Who Dunit the 2nd] April 1946; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, Nose art [Herassing Agent] April 1946, Clark Field
3036220 Pacific Theater, Nose art [Herassing Agent] April 1946, Clark Field; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, Nose art [Hi-Priority Stuff] April 1946
3036153 Pacific Theater, Nose art [Hi-Priority Stuff] April 1946,; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

Pacific Theater, Nose art [the Defenseless Virgin Mary] April 1946
3036330 Pacific Theater, Nose art [the Defenseless Virgin Mary] April 1946; Private Collection; (add.info.: From a series of photographs taken at Clark Air Base , Luzon Island , Philippines)

A Kittybomber Curtiss P-40 plane of Number 112 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, nicknamed the " Shark Squadron"

A silver B-26 Marauder medium bomber of the ninth US Air Force, shown at its base in England. May 1944

An RAF squadron recently joined battle with more than twice their number of Italian aircraft over Libya. The British fighters destroyed 15 Italian aircraft during the engagement

North American B-25J Mitchell
The Pilot John Jeff Hawke (In Shot) and Duane Egli (Not Shown), Signalling to Start-Engine on a B-25 Mitchell Modified Camera-Ship Aircraft

Nose art on a Curtiss P-40E Warhawk
Close-up view of the nose art on a Curtiss P-40E Warhawk on display at the Warhawk Air Museum, Nampa, Idaho

Beautiful 1940s style pin-up girl standing under a B-17 bomber

USA, B-17 Bomber Aircraft, Salinas, California

A U. S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II parked at Davis Monthan Air Force Base
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II parked on the ramp at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, preparing for Hawgsmoke 2016

Two Curtiss P-40 Warhawks in flight near Nampa, Idaho

A KC-135 Stratotankerdisplaying patriotic nose art
An aging Iowa Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker, displaying patriotic nose art, is about to retire

Close-up of the GAU-8 Avenger gun on an A-10 Thunderbolt II
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II parked on the ramp at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, preparing for Hawgsmoke 2016

A P-40N Warhawk in flight near Chino, California

U. S. Air Force QF-4 Phantom II
U.S. Air Force QF-4 Phantom II with Sharkmouth of 82nd ATS, on the ramp at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico

Polish Air Force Su-22 Fitter aircraft, Lechfeld Airbase, Germany
Polish Air Force Su-22 Fitter aircraft with flamboyant nose-art taxies during the bi-annual ELITE exercise at Lechfeld Airbase, Germany

A P-40E Warhawk in flight near Livermore, California

A Curtiss P-40E Warhawk in flight near Chino, California

Space Shuttle Endeavour mounted on a modified Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft
Decembe 12, 2008 - After a three-day trip from California, the shuttle carrier aircraft and its piggyback passenger, Space Shuttle Endeavour

A German Air Force Tornado ECR with special paint scheme
A German Air Force Tornado ECR of Fighter Bomber Wing 32s Flying Monsters squadron with special paint scheme

Two P-40 Warhawks and a P-51D Mustang flying over Chino, California

Vintage World War II photo of a P-40 Warhawk plane with a Flying Tigers paint scheme

For sale as Licensed Images

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"Nose Art: A Colorful Legacy of Aviation Heritage" In the vast skies above the United States, a unique form of artistic expression took flight during World War II and beyond. Known as "nose art, " these captivating illustrations adorned the exteriors of various aircraft, leaving an indelible mark on aviation history. From the iconic B-17 Bomber Aircraft to the courageous Kittybomber Curtiss P-40 plane of Number 112 Squadron, each cockpit became a canvas for creativity. Salinas, California emerged as a hub for nose art enthusiasts, where talented artists transformed military planes into flying masterpieces. The North American B-25J Mitchell proudly displayed intricate designs that symbolized bravery and camaraderie among its crew members. Meanwhile, a silver B-26 Marauder medium bomber showcased its might as part of the ninth US Air Force fleet. Across continents, even RAF squadrons embraced this trend in their battles against Italian forces. Their Curtiss P-40E Warhawk bore witness to fierce encounters while exhibiting stunning artwork that reflected their fighting spirit. The Fokker D-VII / 7 and Hawker Hurricane Mk 2C also joined this artistic revolution with their own distinctive flair. Not limited to combat planes alone, civilian aircraft like de Havilland DH-98 Mosquito B-9 carried nose art traditions forward. These magnificent machines blended elegance with power as they soared through the skies. Amongst all these mesmerizing visuals stood one timeless image - a beautiful 1940s style pin-up girl standing under the mighty wings of a B-17 bomber. This enchanting sight captured both nostalgia and admiration for those who served valiantly during wartime. Even modern-day aircraft pay homage to this tradition; at Davis Monthan Air Force Base rests an imposing U. S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II adorned with striking nose art – reminding us that this legacy lives on.